Solo missions aren’t for everyone. Is this solo mission aboard the Squideo Submarine your version of a fun vacay or will you need to make fruit friends to maintain your sanity?

I’m very much in-between. I love to have some time on my own, whether it’s gaming, listening to music or anything creative (design/photography related). I prefer to stay at home, but once I’m out and about with friends I really enjoy their company and making lots of memories.

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent (thanks Victor Hugo). Music is about to become your only companion. How much of a role does music play in your day-to-day life?

Let’s just say I could not live without music. I’ll use it to get in the zone at work or alternatively I’ll play some chill music whilst gaming. I really like the game Fallout 4 because it has an in-game radio (Diamond City Radio) that you can listen to. For other games, I’ll just put my Spotify on in the background.

I don’t play any instruments, but I would love to be able to play the guitar. At the moment I’ve got too much on my plate, but that is definitely on my list.

One advantage of the solo mission is you can play whatever music you want without having to worry about the musical tastes of anyone else. Talk us through your playlist – are you a fan of one genre or era, or do you like to mix things up?

My music taste varies a lot, so I tried to put as much variation into the playlist. (I did leave some of my favourite tracks off this playlist because they had too many swear words haha). Rock music, Disney music, alternative music, 1920s music, musicals… I can listen to anything depending on the day or my mood.

You might be the only crew member, but space is at a premium aboard the Squideo Submarine! You’ve been given strict orders to bring only one bag of personal effects. What are you taking?

This is a tough question. If I could bring anything, I’d most probably bring: my Xbox, camera and phone. I would use my camera to take pictures of my Squideo adventure, then play my video games when I want to be immersed in another world. Phones do everything nowadays, so that’s always a great thing to have.

I’m sure Cody will be on the pier to bark goodbye, along with the rest of your crewmates, friends and family. If they threw you a Bon Voyage party, what music would your friends and family pick for you?

The first song that comes to mind is In the Big Blue World from Nemo the Musical. As it’s about exploring the ocean. Although, I feel like my family would pick something like Beyond the Sea as that can also be found in the film Finding Nemo and also one of my favourite video games – Bioshock.

Do your musical tastes align with your family and friends or is it wildly different?

100 percent!

• Rock music. From my parents and my partner. My Mum loves Foo Fighters, my Step-Dad is obsessed with Iron Maiden and Lewis is a huge Slipknot fan.
• Older classics. My Grandad inspired this one, we share an interest in artists like Nat King Cole and Glenn Miller.
• Disney. My whole family is Disney-obsessed, especially my Mum. Disney music – especially the park music – helps me relive so many happy memories.
• Musicals. Recently I’ve been going to Hull New Theatre to see musicals with my Grandma like Bugsy Malone and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

Like smell, music can have strong associations with certain memories. We don’t want to consider how the Squideo Submarine will smell after a week; instead, choose a song which you associate with your childhood.

Splash Mountain Medley – this reminds me of family memories at Disney World – and Dancin’ a Catchy Rhythm – I always thought of this song speaking to me, wishing I could be back at Disney World. 

Good memories certainly takes the edge off the deafening silence of the ocean. Is there a song you associate with a different time you went travelling?

Mostly always Disney Park Music from the parades and shows such as Fantasmic, Dream Along with Mickey, Jammin’ Jungle Parade, the list goes on. I even listen to the ride audio because I love to relive the memories and it transports me to the happiest place on earth.

Amongst the provisions you’ll find aboard the Squideo Submarine, there’s a dive suit in case you need a break from the same four walls. Would you go for a walk on the ocean floor? What would you hope to see?

The scene from The Little Mermaid instantly comes to mind. Seeing all of the sea creatures singing and dancing. Alternatively, I can’t help but imagine bobbing along the beautiful briny sea like in Bedknobs and Broomsticks. 

Our brain likes to fill moments of silence, whether we want it to or not! What was your last earworm? 

So many! The one's I recently had were Off with the Head (by Palaye Royale), Samantha's Gone (by Corey Taylor) and Lost (by Avenged Sevenfold).

Squideo videos look inkredible, but there’s also a soundtrack! Which piece of Squideo-approved background music always gets stuck in your head?

I’m going to be completely predictable and go with the totally catchy kids songs that we’ve been working on for Spell With Me. I’m hooked. I’ll choose the latest one we made: If You’re Happy and You Know It. 

It’s almost time to return home! The journey went a lot quicker with music, didn’t it? What song are you playing in celebration of your return?

Unbound (The Wild Ride) by Avenged Sevenfold. 

We returned to the surface where the H.M.S Fifty Squid was waiting to welcome the Squideo Submarine and its crew of one back onboard. Sadly, no mermaids green with human envy were discovered on this expedition but the excursion gave us a great opportunity to explore the depths and breadths of the ocean with the one and only Hannah Bales. 

Join us next time, when we’ll take a trip beneath the waves with our Production Manager: Callum Major.